Hola, from your Leaders of the Day, Robin and Layla.
This morning, we had an unexpected wakeup call at 6am, due to yesterday’s power outage. As a result, we decided to prioritize the CAP over everything else and wake up an hour earlier to make sure we could accomplish as much as possible before the day was over. After a sluggish morning, we and the community were happy to see the determination in everyone’s faces. Once we arrived, everyone dispersed and put themselves to work. At first we were intimidated by the amount of work to be finished with so little time, but were pleasantly surprised to see the abundance of children and parents that were ready to help.
We spent the next few hours painting children’s feet for footprint patterns, passing buckets of rocks down an assembly line of children, washing paint off our hands in trash cans of river water, and learning life lessons from digging holes in the ground. Everyone maintained a positive attitude until we realized that we had far more obstacles than we had anticipated and no solution. As leaders of the day we frantically attempted to figure how we would build a bridge without wood or drill holes without a drill. The panic spread, which made things even worse. Luckily, with the esfuerza (effort) of everyone, we were able to survive. Sandy, our bus driver, voluntarily wandered the city for a truck that could bring our wood to a hardware store, and Camilo scavenged the community for a drill. Still, we struggled to finish the park before the end of the day. Despite everyone’s esfuerza, successful completion seemed unlikely. The remaining couple of hours were hectic, as we rushed to work with the little we had. Many hopes began to fall as we were counting down the time and we still had nothing built. As leaders, we felt helpless, as we wanted people to stay encouraged and engaged. The temperature started rising, the power tools were malfunctioning, we were low on materials, and no one had solutions.
It was 2 o’clock, we had half an hour left, and we still had nothing. The majority of the delegation and the community had come to term with the fact that we’d have to end the day with nothing for the children the play on. At 2:30, sadly, that was the case. We made our way indoors to share a round of appreciation amongst the group and the community, and sulked in disappointment. We spent the next half hour thanking each other for everyone’s hard work and spreading our love. By 3, we were headed out to get back on the bus and head back to our hotel. However, we were all amazed to see a nearly finished bridge and swing structure to our lefts. We rushed to see if what we were seeing was really true and greeted the slightly completed park with big smiles. Everyone gathered for one last time to put the final touches on the bridge, and within moments it was off the ground and ready for flight.
Eventually, we were all seated in the very hot bus that had been waiting for us all day. Some tears were shed as we waved goodbye to all of our new but old friends, and Sandy drove us home. As we drove away, we were lucky and were able to catch a glimpse of the kids already enjoying the bridge. Even after an exhausting day of non-stop work, as we saw them attacking the bridge with excitement, all our feelings of accomplishment, pride, and joy, pour out in smiles, hugs, and tears.
And one last time – un, dos, tres! Gracias a todos!
With all your efforts, toil, & challenges, congrats for creating a bridge that connects hearts! (“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving.” Mother Teresa)
Great Job Glimpsers….way to persevere. Seems your hearts were in the right place and good things always come of that! What an experience this trip has been. I’m sad for you all that it is coming to a close but look forward to hearing, through Cassandra, what inspiring things you each will do moving forward in life 🙂
Cassandra, we are so happy you participated in this program! I know you don’t want to come home but we are all excited to see you and hear of your awesome experiences! Enjoy your last full day there today. Hopefully Morgan isn’t too mad at me for having her delegation call her Morgansky because of me. It’s really your fault since you started calling her that!
Love you and See you tomorrow 🙂
Mom and Dad
Layla and Robin, great job leading the team on such a challenging day. Your goal for CAP was hefty and I had been curious as to how in the world you all would be able to complete such a large project in so little time. It sounds like all of you were very ambitious and determined to do something big to improve the lives of the local friends you made. Your generous and compassionate hearts, along with quick decision making and collaborative efforts, resulted in a tangible gift that will positively impact the local community for many years to come. Layla, I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to pick you up in 27 hours and hear in-person everything about your trip.
OMG LAYLA NICEEEEEE
it is confirmed
we can build a cathedral
YAY FOR U COMING HOME
SOON AF BRO
ILY
I forgot I have some news:
we are now interning for your mom doing cool market researchy stuff
college stuff is hard
melania trump hella plagiarized michelle obama’s (purse so heavy gettin’ oprah dollars) speech from a couple of years ago
I can’t wait to see ur lovely face my love
my right bicep and wrist hurt constantly and my pinky is always tingling I think I have cubital tunnel syndrome oops
OMFG LAYLA that is amazing
WOOT WOOT AF
Ok sounds like an incredible experience but come back home already your friends miss u AF.
And even though I’m not here I miss having u respond to my texts all the time and especially when everyone else doesn’t .
Anywat have a good flight and sorry I couldn’t comment every day.
BYE LOVE YOU
YOTES
Sounds like a fantastic CAP, and a successful delegation! Sorry I haven’t commented earlier, Tram; been busy preparing for my own trip in a few days. Make sure to cherish your final days, C1B, and have a safe flight home!
What a phenomenal trip Layla, Robin and the rest of your group! The experience you have developed and life skills will continue to expand your roles in female leadership and foster change the World needs. Love you and can’t wait to hear your story